Eriksson aiming to trim City squad

Sven Goran Eriksson has warned his fringe players to leave the club now or face being left out in the cold for the rest of the season. The Manchester City manager insists that he is still working in the transfer market to bring in new players before the window closes at the weekend.

But ahead of the Carling Cup tie at Bristol City tonight Eriksson has made it very clear he wants several players to go. He confirmed: "A few players are in negotiations with other clubs with our permission." Darius Vassell, Georgios Samaras and Bernardo Corradi are the three most likely to leave.

Eriksson said: "There are a lot of rumours not just of Darius Vassell going but some of the others. There are others who will leave, we will see over the next few days. We have a few players, three or four, who are in discussions with other clubs. I am sure something will happen. It is only fair, it is not good to have too many players who are not playing football."

Corradi is believed to be in negotiations with Siena over a return to Italy, while Vassell has rejected moves to Besiktas and Derby, but it is possible the Premier League's bottom club could make another approach.

Eriksson also wants to find new clubs for Danny Mills and Paul Dickov.

The former England manager added: "I have spoken to some of the players here who still have contracts but are not in the team. You have to be fair and tell them that they will not play much football if they stay here. It is professional and correct to tell them now."

Eriksson, who has already spent around £40million, has been linked with Portugal international Nuno Gomes, but would only say: "We are working hard on transfers, something will happen but Friday is very close. I will not comment on names that have been suggested, we will see on Friday."

Eriksson plans to give the club's academy youngsters their chance, and right-sided defender Shaleum Logan will make his senior debut at Aston Gate after impressing in pre-season.

Eriksson says: "The young players here are the future of this club, particularly Michael Johnson. Logan will also come in and play at Bristol, he can play right-back or right-midfield.

"I have been very surprised by the amount of very good young players here, lads like Micah Richards I knew a little about, but Johnson, Stephen Ireland, Logan, they are all impressive."